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Numerous plans to set up new routes or add more flights on existing routes are being abandoned due to a lack of aviation fuel at regional airports in Japan. It is hoped that the public and private sectors will work together to implement measures to prevent this problem from becoming an obstacle to increasing the number of visitors to Japan.
The number of foreign visitors to Japan, which dropped amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has recovered rapidly in recent years. In 2023, the figure was 6.5 times the level of the previous year. In the first half of this year, visitors increased by more than 60%, hitting a record high of 17.77 million.
Many foreign airlines are seeking to launch new routes to Japan or operate more flights on existing routes.
However, according to a survey by the Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Ministry, the inability to secure jet fuel in Japan forced airline companies to shelve plans to launch or increase a total of 140 flights a week at 15 regional airports. Such cases have been particularly conspicuous in Hokkaido and Kyushu, raising concerns.
Airplanes arriving from overseas usually carry enough fuel for only a one-way trip and refuel in Japan for their return. Flights to and from Japan have increased along with the growth in visitors to Japan. This has resulted in a shortage of jet fuel, causing airports to be unable to meet new demand for flights.
The impact of losing opportunities to attract foreign visitors due to the fuel crunch is significant. The situation cannot be left unaddressed.
One factor behind this problem is said to be a decline in Japan’s oil refining capacity.
Amid the recent trend of decarbonization, oil wholesalers have accelerated moves to consolidate and eliminate refineries because demand for gasoline has declined. As a result, jet fuel production fell more than 30% this spring compared with five years before.
Even if these companies try to boost jet fuel production, it is believed to be difficult to significantly increase the output of just this type of fuel, as jet fuel is produced along with gasoline, diesel oil and other products in the process of refining crude oil.
Furthermore, the consolidation and elimination of refineries has resulted in longer transport distances for fuel deliveries. However, it has reportedly been difficult for marine and land transportation companies to respond to the situation due to labor shortfalls.
Given this situation, the government has drawn up emergency measures. One short-term measure calls for oil wholesalers and other companies to expand fuel imports from overseas. It is also asking the shipping industry to promote the diversion of transport vessels currently used on international routes to domestic routes, in order to strengthen fuel transportation capabilities.
As medium- to long-term measures, the government is seeking more fuel tanks at airports and other facilities and the enlargement of domestic transport vessels, among other steps.
The fuel shortage is partly due to a lack of comprehensive coordination among ministries and agencies as the nation attempts to boost the number of visitors to Japan and strengthen the system for accepting them. It is important for ministries and agencies to eliminate sectionalism and steadily implement measures in cooperation with the private sector.
In addition, to achieve both the goals of realizing decarbonization and making Japan a major tourist destination, it is hoped that the wide use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — an environmentally friendly next-generation fuel made from waste oil and other resources — will be promoted.
